Patiala, March 9
The investigation into Rs 130-crore drug racket busted by the Fatehgarh Police on Thursday is set to get wider, with the police indicating that it could conduct raids inside the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NIS) here.

Fatehgarh Sahib Senior Superintendent of Police HS Mann said: “No raid has been conducted inside the NIS yet, but given the evidence we have, we might explore this option as boxers usually stay there.”

Mann evaded direct queries on Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Singh’s role in the drug haul case. On head constable Ram Singh being part of the gang, he said he had been summoned again to join investigation. However, sources said Ram Singh had been in police custody for some time and the Zirakpur raids were conducted on the basis of his disclosures.

Ram Singh, also an international boxer and Vijender’s sparring partner, has reportedly told the police that he had procured heroin from main accused Anup Singh Kahlon. The police are now trying to find out whether the drugs allegedly purchases by the two were meant for self-consumption or for someone else.

Investigators had earlier said Ram Singh, during questioning on Friday, "admitted" that he was in touch with Kahlon since 2007 and that he had introduced Vijender to him a year ago. The NRI and his and accomplice Rocky were arrested yesterday after 26 kg heroin and some other chemicals were seized from his Zirakpur house.

Though reports said Vijender and Ram Singh had been experimenting with drugs, no raid was conducted on the Olympics medallist’s room no. 1 of the Dhyan Chand Hostel at NIS till late Saturday evening. At the entry gate, NIS staff said mediapersons were not allowed inside without permission.

A sportsperson at NIS said there was a lot of movement in the hostel after news spread that Vijender’s name cropped up in the drug haul case. 

A camper lodged in NIS told The Tribune that Ram Singh and two other boxers were often seen with Vijender in his hostel room and even when he was not there. However, NIS executive director LS Ranawat rubbished claims of outsiders entering the hostel premises. He said outsiders were not allowed to stay in the hostels without his written permission.